₦airaland Forum

sagitariusbaby:
He is a power drunk, insensitive to the core. He lacks leadership qualities and I don't see him going far in politics. I am not from South West but I loved Akeredolu for being bold, rugged and standing up for the South during the inglorious years of Buhari when the fulanis rose up against the entire country. May God bless his soul.

TemplarLandry:
I don't trust that man.
He's very power-hungry.

vowiski:
It was needed, because Aketi and his family almost rubbished the former Dep. Governor.

If things went as they ought to be, I doubt this would have happened

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im8gLt6qpUA?feature=shared

Men often crave power with the same intensity that dogs crave bones. The relentless pursuit of power and influence can lead individuals to commit callous acts without regard for conscience. While power itself can be a force for good, its corrupting influence can transform individuals into monsters.

Unfortunately, the political crisis in Ondo State, which had been drawn out and sustained, has cast a dark cloud over the "Sunshine State" following the untimely demise of the courageous and esteemed former Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, leaving a lasting impact on the minds of the people within the state and the nation as a whole.

Two significant events unfolded in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. On that day, the people not only mourned the loss of a man who was more than just a governor but also witnessed the swift inauguration of Akeredolu's deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the new governor, mere hours after Akeredolu's passing.

Since the inauguration of Governor Aiyedatiwa, there has been profound contemplation surrounding the circumstances of the event. What should have been a solemn and reflective occasion turned into an atmosphere of jubilation.


Despite the death of his predecessor, Aiyedatiwa did not hesitate to celebrate his newfound position as governor. What is particularly troubling is the lack of respect shown towards Akeredolu's memory during the proceedings. No moment of silence was observed before, during, or after the inauguration.

During his speech, Aiyedatiwa began by exclaiming "A ku orire o" (Congratulations to us). The event was broadcasted live on national television, so, it wasn’t done in secret. I find it difficult to comprehend how a man who has benefited from Akeredolu's generosity could shout "A ku orire o" on the day of his death. Could it be true that Aiyedatiwa was eagerly awaiting Akeredolu's demise?

Another disconcerting aspect was Aiyedatiwa's haste to assume the role of governor, to the extent that not even a minute of silence was dedicated to honoring the late Governor. Conversely, in faraway Lagos and Benue States, a minute of silence was observed to commemorate the departed Governor.

Despite the expectation that Aiyedatiwa's inauguration would be a solemn and dignified occasion, it turned into a spectacle of jubilation for him and his supporters. This display of insensitivity is truly regrettable.

richiemcgold:
This is just a paid propaganda to malign the deputy gov.

These are not the best of times in Ondo state. They are not the worst of times, either. Nothing in the governance crisis in the state in the last few months comes remotely close to the 1983 political crisis being invoked by some commentators. In that crisis, the state was totally paralysed. Some people were killed and their property destroyed. Others ran away from the state or went into hiding, while the majority held their breath. I was as much a witness of the 1983 crisis as I am of the present governance crisis in the state.

Without a doubt, the current situation in Ondo state could have been better than they are but for the behaviour and selfish actions of a few characters, notably, the Deputy Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. However, before I get to his case, it is important to briefly examine the facilitating factors that brought him to the fore.

The key factor is Governor Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu’s illness. It is easy to blame him now that the state also has caught his illness. However, he did what was necessary to ensure that the state remained healthy. Basically, he did major two things.


First, he did what he could to move the state forward in key sectors. A few examples will suffice. One key area is the growth of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from about N670 million to over N3 billion per month. He worked hard at it, by developing new policies and structures, such as the ODRIS building complex opposite the famous Dome, and hiring a whole complement of staff for tax collection. As of the latest assessment, Ondo had the fastest growing IGR among the 36 states. Interestingly, at least in terms of traffic and patronage, Akure Airport is also the fastest growing state airport in the country.

With available resources, Governor Akeredolu was able to construct or renovate over 500 kilometers of roads and over 800 primary and secondary schools throughout the state. He also constructed a fly-over bridge at Ore to ease the heavy traffic flow and accidents at the junction of the Sagamu-Benin and Ondo-Okitipupa roads. Similarly, he commenced the very first flyover bridge in Akure, the state capital, to ease traffic congestion. He piloted the University of Medical Sciences at Ondo and the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology at Okitipupa to full accreditation of all their programmes. He also established the UNIMED Teaching Hospital Complex, by converting the State Specialist Hospitals at Akure and Ondo into Teaching Hospitals. This was complemented with a 200-bed building complex each at Akure and Ondo. Over 500 hospital staff, including about 200 doctors, were also hired.


He took similar strides in Agriculture and the Blue Economy, by ramping up on Public-Private Partnership in agricultural and industrial production. For example, he developed the Red Gold Project, focusing on large scale palm oil cultivation and processing in partnership with the National Oil Palm Producing Association of Nigeria. Accordingly, an oil palm plantation was birthed with over 12,000 hectares of newly planted oil palm. In addition to the Ore-Irele Ondo is fast emerging

Other projects have also taken root at the Ore Industrial Park. One is the Gas Inland LPG Terminal developed in partnership with Alles Charis LPG to produce large inland storage. Another is the Linyi Hub, which has so far developed five industries, with additional three underway. To boost the industrial plans, license was obtained for a deep seaport. The fact that none of these projects is located in your neighbourhood or that the road leading to your house (like mine in Idanre) has not seen the hand of the government at all does not mean that the government has not been doing anything as some in the media would like to make us believe.



The second major thing Akeredolu did to ensure that the state remained healthy, while he was away, was to transfer power to his Deputy. Unfortunately, however, the erstwhile trusted Deputy became so over-ambitious as to have betrayed the trust. Once power was transferred to him, his focus shifted from the state to himself. He focused on how he would be the substantive Governor after the anticipated demise of his boss. He also started work on he would win the governorship election next year. In service of these objectives, he started obtaining, or making requests for, funds, which are all documented in the allegations against him by the House of Assembly. He even started doling out positions, including that of his Deputy, in anticipation of electoral victory. It was even alleged that he promised the Deputy position to more than one person!

What is worse, he allegedly released his boss’s medical records and maligned him through his aides, who engaged in a negative media blitz against the Governor. Those records were said to have been obtained surreptitiously through female aides close to the Governor. Trust politicians! Aiyedatiwa’s moves quickly led to divisions within the administration, especially among the cabinet members. Following his footsteps, those who were interested in the governorship race were forced to start making moves. The result was an unnecessary governance crisis.

It was not total failure, however, as alleged in the press. Many projects are going on, including the construction of the flyover at a dangerous intersection in the state capital. Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Palliative Committee, is also driving a robust, 11-point, Subsidy Relief Programme across the state.

Aiyedatiwa’s various moves were not lost on his boss. Similarly, all his financial requests were documented, including his alleged foray into Local Government funds. Perhaps to divert attention from their boss’s actions, Aiyedatiwa’s media aides focused on the Governor’s ill health, pontificating and fabricating lies. No wonder then that Akeredolu fired them on his return, while the House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy.

It is to be expected that Aiyedatiwa would seek to defend himself. He has been going about it in a frenzy. He filed several court injunctions, corralled the support of the party at the national level, colluded with lawyers and various groups, and got some media outlets to put pressure on his sick boss. In the process, words, such as “incapacitated” and “unfit”, are being used in describing the Governor. Aiyedatiwa acknowledged all his “supporters” with a post, thanking them all for “standing by me”. There was no single acknowledgement of his boss in the post, because it is apparent that the boss is the target of his fight.

How did Governor Akeredolu come about this guy? His wife is said to have suggested Aiyedatiwa to him. Or how else would Aketi have chosen as his Deputy someone who has neither executive nor governance experience and was repeatedly rejected by the party and his own people in previous runs for membership in the National Assembly, once as a Representative and once as a Senator? Even his nomination to serve on the NDDC Board was rejected.

Akeredolu should have known that Ondo state could not be lucky with Lucky. He should be impeached to give room for the state to breathe.

An Akure High Court, in Ondo state, has struck out a suit instituted by the embattled deputy governor of the state, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, challenging his impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

Justice O. Akintan-Osadebay, in his ruling , declined jurisdiction to avoid conflicting verdict between Ondo High Court and Abuja Federal High Court.

Akintan-Osadebay, ruled that it was a gross abuse of court process to engage in “forum shopping, by instituting same case in Akure and Abuja High court.

It will be recalled that Aiyedatiwa, approached, the court in a suit delineated AK/348/2023 filed on September 25, 2023, to stop the House of Assembly from impeaching him.

The deputy governor sought for a declaration that “the House of Assembly is not competent to proceed on his impeachment in breach of his constitutional and fundamental rights to fair hearing and that the sacking of his media aides and subjecting him to the Ministry of Information headed by a Commissioner amounts to a breach of his rights and privileges as a deputy governor.

Aiyedatiwa “is also seeking a declaration that his office, tenure, status, rights and privileges are protected, guaranteed and secured by the Constitution, and the declaration that in the determination of his civil rights and obligations as a Deputy Governor of Ondo State by the House of Assembly, he is entitled to a fair hearing and that given the utterances and conduct of the House of Assembly so far, there is likelihood of bias against him in the impeachment process.

According to him, in conducting media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, the House Assembly has constituted itself into accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge.

Aiyedatiwa then sought orders of injunction to stop the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing or proceeding with the process of his removal from office as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

He also seeks an order to stop the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly of Ondo State to set up any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor.

Aiyedatiwa named as defendants in the suit filed by human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, are the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly and Chief Judge of Ondo State.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons, it was stated that the House of Assembly embarked upon a media trial of the Deputy Governor purely to scandalize him and incite public opinion against him when indeed no notice of acts of alleged gross misconduct was served on him.

He also accused the House of Assembly of persecuting him without lawful basis in conspiracy with certain persons who are gladiators in political circles.

Dep gov not ready for reconciliation- group
Meanwhile, a group under the aegis Ondo Masses Solidarity Movement (MSM) has alleged that the deputy governor, has not withdraw the lawsuit he filed against his impeachment by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

The group recall that Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Mr. Ebun-olu Adegboruwa (SAN), informed the court that the deputy governor wished to withdraw the suit following the intervention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the matter.

It’s coordinator, Chief Ogunyemi Jeremiah,in a Statement in Akure, said that “the story was planted in the newspaper to delay the court case and mislead the public about a reconciliation effort.

Jeremiah said that ” In light of the ongoing developments in the impeachment process of Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, we find it necessary to address the spread of fake news as published in today’s newspaper.

“We urge the public to disregard the false news claiming that Aiyedatiwa has withdrawn his lawsuit against his impeachment. This story, as published, was the work of individuals attempting to delay the case and extend the impeachment process.

“In fact, if anything, the deputy governor has shown that he is not ready for reconciliation.


“His consistent reference to the reconciliation committee appears to be an act of deception and pretense. It is disappointing that the deputy governor professes reconciliation while actively pursuing legal actions.

“Just moments ago, the deputy governor appealed the ruling of the Akure High Court that declined jurisdiction on the suit challenging his impeachment.

“This contradicts Aiyedatiwa’s reconciliation stance. One cannot advocate for reconciliation while simultaneously initiating court proceedings.

“As stakeholders in Ondo State, we have lost confidence in the deputy governor’s ability to continue holding public office.

Jeremiah said that ” Resorting to legal measures to halt impeachment proceedings, especially when facing serious allegations related to taxpayers’ money without providing any response, is a disservice to the people of the state.

A group, Ondo Solidarity Union (OSU) has berated the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the maltreatment meted to the Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu during the period he was sick

The group in a press statement on Wednesday signed by the coordinator, Kunle Akinfolarin asked Aiyedatiwa not to waste his time denying any wrongdoing.

The statement read, “If the Deputy Governor hasn’t created a wedge between him and his boss, the narratives would have been needless.


“We read in the media, the unease that have pervaded the camp of Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa upon the return of the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from medical vacation.

“Without being told, the trepidation that have enveloped the group of the deputy governor is expected following the various activities and overreaching attitudes Aiyedatiwa and his cronies displayed while the governor was on medical vacation abroad.


“Despite public knowledge of the deputy governor’s disloyalty, he has continued to defend the indefensible.

“The recent press statement signed and released by his Press Secretary lacked both bone and meat. It was empty in scope, logic and facts. The statement was gasping for credibility because of the lack of evidence and truth to give it life.

“Aiyedatiwa’s denials, notwithstanding, we are interested in setting the facts right and awakening the minds of the good people of Ondo State and the general public to interrogate the truth and sieve reality from shallow denials.

“It’s surprising that Aiyedatiwa finds it rather convenient to discover his voice anytime he’s exposed out in the public place. Discerning minds would wonder what happened to his voice when he was asked to set the record straight over the state of his boss’ health at time the fake report of the Governor’s death was being spread.

“Did Aiyedatiwa not employ the services of one Akeredolu O.N; Ebenezer Adeniyan; Yemi Fashipe; Allen Sowore, Tolu Babaleye and Biyi Boroye to coordinate and execute media attacks against the governor?

“Did Aiyedatiwa not threatened the Accountant General of the State to disclose the earnings and spendings of the governor to him? Did he not meet with the Accountant General in Abuja?

“Did Aiyedatiwa not abuse the Governor in the presence of one of the protocol officers, claiming that the governor couldn’t have signed his file because he was bed-ridden?

“Would the deputy Governor deny that he didn’t plant story in SaharaReporters to lie about the health situation of the Governor?

“When the fake news of the Governor’s death was being spread around, why did the deputy Governor refused to issue a statement to refute it despite meeting with the governor physically a day before?

“Did the deputy governor not tell people that his boss could only be flown into the country in a medical plane?

“When was he celebrating and rejoicing over his announcement as acting governor when the governor traveled for his medical vacation?

“The above questions are begging for answer. The truth about treachery is that, it creates a false sense of shield that gives the impression of clandestine move even when you are a prisoner in the plain sight of the people,” the source added.

Betrayals are pretenders. They strike dirty blows from below and wipe their victims’ tears in the open. Their hearts harbour evil but their mouths pledge imaginary loyalty.

Moferere:
Leadership don dey turn to Peoples Gazettengr.com like this.

Fake news.

All FAKE